New Delhi: Maharaja Surajmal was one of the greatest rulers India had ever seen. He was a Jat ruler of Bharatpur which is located today in Rajasthan. During his reign, Bharatpur was a tributary of the House of Scindia but was a powerful force to reckon with in its own right. A ruler of a massive kingdom, Surajmal has been hailed by as “the Plato of the Sinsinwar Jat tribe” and also as the “Jat Ulysses” since he was politically astute, intelligent and had a clear vision. Today, on this death anniversary, we will take a look at the life of this king.
Maharaja Surajmal and the Chandaus War
The Chandaus War took place in 1745 and was an important even in Maharaja Surajmal’s life. In the war, he took the side of Nawab Fateh Ali Khan of Koil against the Mughal Emperor Muhammad Shah. The combined forces defeated the imperial army, increasing the power of Bharatpur. Notably, it was Surajmal’s first independent decision in external political and army affairs.
Maharaja Surajmal and the many wars that he fought
In the Battle of Bagru which took place in August 1748, Maharaja Surajmal took the side of Ishwari Singh against Madho Singh when the two brothers were fighting over the throne of Jaipur. While Madho Singh had the support of the Marathas and the Rathores, Surajmal supported Ishwari Singh with 10,000 soldiers and the latter ultimately won the battle.
When Safdar Jang attacked Delhi to take revenge on the Mughal Empire, Surajmal fought for the former and his forces plundered the capital of the empire. Later, in the Battle of Kumher, Mughal Emperor Alamgir II and Siraj ud-Daulah, the last independent Nawab of Bengal were having a feud and the emperor sought the help of the Holkar Marathas of Indore who laid siege of Bharatpur. Surajmal’s army was successful in lifting the siege and a treaty was signed between him and the Marathas, which spread his fame far and wide and increased the power of Bharatpur. Notably, on June 12, 1761, he conquered the Agra Fort which increased his power massively. However, he was killed on December 25, 1763, while trying to conquer Haryana.
Lohagarh Fort and Deeg Palace
The Lohagarh Fort is a famous fort in Rajasthan which Maharaja Surajmal built. The construction of the fort took eight years to complete and it was considered one of the strongest forts in the country, which even the British could not capture easily. The Deeg Palace in Rajasthan’s Deeg which Maharaja Surajmal built in 1730 as a luxurious summer resort for the rulers of Bharatpur.
Maharaja Surajmal, the Jat ruler of Bharatpur, was a formidable military leader and astute politician. This article explores his life, detailing key battles like Chandaus and Bagru, showcasing his strategic alliances and independent decision-making. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
